An Illustrated Dictionary of Words used in Art and Archaeology / Explaining terms frequently used in works on architecture, arms, bronzes, Christian art, colour, costume, decoration, devices, emblems, heraldry, lace, personal ornaments, pottery, painting, sculpture, &c., with their derivations.

by John W. Mollett

Bombard, O. E. A machine for projecting stones or iron balls; the precursor of the cannon. First used in the 14th century.

Fig. 91. Bombards worn by King James I. of England.

Bombards, O. E. Padded breeches. In Elizabeth’s reign the breeches, then called Bombards, were stuffed so wide that a gallery or scaffold was erected to accommodate members of Parliament who wore them. The engraving shows James I. (painted 1614) attired for hawking. (Fig. [91].)

Bombax, O. E. The stuff now called Bombasin. “A sort of fine silk or cotton cloth well known upon the continent during the 13th century.” (Strutt.)

Bombé, Fr. Curved furniture, introduced in the 18th century.

Bombulom or Bunibulum, O. E. (from the Greek βόμβος, a hollow deep sound). A musical instrument consisting of an angular frame with metal plates, which sounded when shaken like the sistrum of the Egyptians.

Bombylos and Bombylê, Gr. and R. A vase so called from the gurgling noise which the liquid makes in pouring out through its narrow neck.

Bone Black. (See Ivory Black.)

Book. In mediæval art an attribute of the fathers of the Church; in the hands of evangelists and apostles it represents the Gospel. St. Boniface carries a book pierced with a sword. St. Stephen, St. Catherine, St. Bonaventura, and St. Thomas Aquinas also carry books.